Automatic bagging machine

ABSTRACT

An automatic bagging machine for produce or the like includes bag feeding, holding and tying devices and an electro-pneumatic control system for actuating and deactuating such devices in timed sequence to feed and open the bags to be filled, as well as to close and tie the filled bags. In combination with an automatic weighing machine the two machines are especially adapted to operate together and thereby form an automatic weighing and bagging system, with each machine controlling the operation of the other.

Filed:

' United States Patent [191 Crabb AUTOMATIC BACGING MACHINE Inventor:Jasper R. Crabb, Yakima, Wash.

Assignee: Ag- Paklne, Gasport, N.Y.

Feb. 28, 1972 4 Related u.s. Application m continuum Ser. No. 78,762Oct. 7, i970, abandoned.

Appl. No;

US. Cl. ..-.....53/55, 53/59 W1, 53/63, 53/190,53/198A int. Cl.....B65 b57/04, B65b 57/12, B65b 43/36 Field of Search SS/55,59 W,'63, 53/190 fun3,731,454 'May 8,1973

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,763,458 9/1956 Kindseth..53/59 W 3,498,020 3/ 1970 Eppenberger ..53/55 Primary Examiner-TravisS. McGehee Attorney-Robert C. Weber 571 ABSTRACT An automatic baggingmachine for produce or the like includes bag feeding, holding and tyingdevices and an electro-pneumatic control system foi actuating anddeactuating such devices in timed sequence to feed and open the bags tobe filled, as well as to close and tie the filled bags. In combinationwith an automatic weighing machine the two machines are especiallyadapted to operate together and thereby form an'automatic weighing andbagging system, with each machine controlling the operation of theother.

37 Claims, '34 Drawing Figures Patented May 8, 1973 3,731,454

10 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Jasper R. Crubb BY ATTORNEYS Patented May 8, 1973 10 Sheets-Shet 5 1 NVEN TOR.

Jasper R. Crobb BY ATTORNEYS Patented May 8, 1973 3,731,454

10 SheetsSheet 4 B6 INVENTOR. I50 Jasper R. Crabb ATTORNEYS Ptented Maya, 1973 3,731,454

10 Sheds-Sheet s IINVENTOR. Jusper R. Crobb ATTORNEYS Patented May8,1973' 3,731,454

10 Sheets-Sheet v INVENTOR. 325 2 Jospor R. Crubb ATTORNEYS Patented May8,1973 3,131,454

10 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR. Jusper R. Crobb ATTORNEYS Patented May8,1973

10 Sheets-Sheet 10 I INVENTOR. Jusper Ra. Crubb ATTORNEYS AUTOMATICBAGGING MACHINE This application is a continuation of copendingapplication Ser. No. 78,762, filed Oct. 7, 1970, for Automatic BaggingMachine, and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE XNVENTION usually involves separate weighing, bagfilling and bag closing operations performed by separate machines whichare not inter-controlled, thereby requiring the use of at least oneoperator for the weighing and bag filling operations who then manuallytransfers the filled bags to a bag closing machine. The weighing and bagfilling operations normally are performed at one machine, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,889,130 and 2,889,131, with an operatorbeing required to manually assist in the weighing operation and tomanually manipulate a scoop on the weighing machine to initiate the bagfilling operation, whereupon the operator then manually transfers thefilled bag to a separate bag tying machine, such as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 3,369,573.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of thepresent in- .vention to provide a new and improved automatic baggingmachine which feeds, opens and holds the open bags for the bag fillingoperation, upon completion of which such machine closes, ties andreleases the filled bags and recycles. To this end such automaticbagging machine includes support means, bag feeding means mounted onsuch support'means, bag tying means mounted on such support means inopposed spaced relationship to such feeding means bag holding A meansmounted on such support means between such feeding and tying means andincluding spreading means, clamping means and swinging means, and anelectrical control system for actuating and deactuating such feeding,holding and tying means in timed sequence, such electrical controlsystem including feeder control means energized by such holding meanswhen moved to. such feeding means by such swinging means to actuate suchfeeding means to partially open and feed the partially open end of anempty bag to such spreading means, spreader control means energized andlatched by such actuated feeding means to actuate such spreading meansto spread open and remove the bag from such feeding means and todeenergize such feeder control means and deactuate such feeding means,clamp control means energized and latched by such deactuated feedingmeans to actuate such clamping means to clamp the bag against suchspreading means prior to the bag filling operation, dual swinger andcloser control means simultaneously responsive to completion ofsuch bagfilling operation, with such swinger control means being energized andlatched to actuate such swinging means to move such spreading and suchcombination of automatic weighing and bagging clamping means to suchtyingmeans and with such closer control means being deenergized tounlatch such spreader control means anddeac'tuate such spreading meanswhile such clamping means remain actuated to collapse and close suchfilled bag, tyer control means energized upon such holding meansreaching such tying means to actuate such tying means to tie the closedand filled bag, and recycle control means deenergized by such tyingmeans when the bag is tied to simultaneously unlatch such clamp controlmeans and such swinger control means, thereby deactuating and openingsuch clamping means to release such tied bag; as well deactuating suchswinging means to move such holding means from such tying means to suchfeeding means for reenergizing such feeder control means.

Another primary object of the invention is to provide such automaticbagging machine in combination with an automatic weighing machine,wherein both the weighing and bagging operations are completelyautomatic, thereby eliminating the need for an operator or manualintervention in the system and maximizing production. To this end, suchautomatic bagging machine includes time delay means, and the automaticweighing machine includes chute means for delivering a predeterminedweight of material to fill the open empty bag, weighing means includingconveyor means for delivering the. predetermined weight of material tosuch chute means, movable gate means for restraining inger controlmeansand de'energizing such spreader control means only upon completionof such bag. filling operation following delivery of such predeterminedweight of material to the open bag. i

Another primary object of the inventionis to provide machines whereinthe latter controls the bag filling operation even to the point ofpreventing the former from delivering the predetermined weight ofmaterial until an open bag is in proper position and ready to receivethe same. To this end, the electrical control system of the automaticbagging machine includes enabling control means energizable by theactuated spreading means upon such bag b-eingspread open to enable theelectrical control means of the automatic weighing machine to actuatesuch gate means as well as l disabling control means deenergizable bysuch actu ated spreading means in the event no bag is mounted thereon toprevent such electrical control means of such weighing machine fromactuating such gate means BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is ahorizontal section taken on line 1-1 of FIG. 2 to show an automaticproduce weighing machine having its lower left end arranged in operativerelationship with an automatic bagging machine constituting a preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 to show boththe weighing and bagging machines in greater detail, with portions ofthe bagging machine being broken away to better illustrate the weighingmachine and an open bag in position to be filled.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevational sectional view of the overallbagging machine taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 to show thesupporting framework, and from left to right, the bag feeding device,the bag holding device (including the bag opening, clamping,

, swinging and closing mechanisms), and the bag tying device.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 toshow mounting details of the bag holding device.

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken on line 5-5 of FIG.

3 through the bag holding device. FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentarysection taken on line 66 of FIG. 5 to show details of the stop structurefor limiting return swinging movement of the bag hold ing device towardthe bag feeding device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a plastic produce bag employed in theinventive bagging machine.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 3 to showdetails of the bag feeding and holding devices.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are enlarged fragmentary sections taken respectively onlines 8A-8B of FIG. 11 to show bag mounting details of the bag feedingdevice.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8 toshow further details of the supporting structure and switches actuatedby the bag feeding device.

FIG. 10 is a section taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 3 to show details ofthe bag tying device.

FIG. 11 is a section taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 3 to show details ofboth the bag feeding and tying devices.

- FIG. 12 is an enlarged top plan view of the bag tying device of FIG.11, but with covering structure removed to show structural details ofthe packer arm mechanism on the left, tape feeding mechanism on theright, and tape twisting mechanism therebelow, with the packer arm beingshown in its inoperative position in solid lines and in its operativeposition in dotted lines.

FIG. 12A is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 12A-12A ofFIG. 12 to show the structure of the twister head of the tape twistingmechanism.

FIG. 13 is a section taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 12 to show furtherstructural details of the tape feeding and packer arm mechanisms.

FIG. 14 is a section taken on line 14-14 of FIG. 12 to show furtherstructural details of the tape feeding and packer arm mechanisms.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary section taken on line 15- -15 of FIG. 12 toshow further structural details of the tape twisting and feedingmechanisms.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary section taken on line 16- -16 of FIG. 13 toshow details of the lower air switch and the upper electrical limitswitch actuated by the packer arm piston rod crank member of the packerarm mechanism.

FIG. 17 is a section taken on line 17-17 of FIG. 3 to show structuraldetails of the bag swinger mechanism.

FIG. 18 is a section taken on line 18-18 of FIG. 3 to show structuraldetails of the mechanism for actuating the bag opening or spreader arms.

FIG. 19 is a section taken on line 19-19 of FIG. 3 to show structuraldetails of the mechanism for actuating the left or trailing bag clampingarm and switch actuating structure on the right or leading bag clampingarm.

FIG. 20 is a section taken on line 20-20 of FIG. 3 to show structuraldetails of the mechanism for actuating the right or leading bag clampingarm.

FIG. 20A is a section taken on line 20A-20A of FIG. 3 to show details ofthe stop structure for limiting pivotal movement of the left or trailingspade on its arm for actuating a safety switch on the weighing machineto enable feeding produce to the bagging machine.

FIGS. 21-28 are fragmentary elevational sectional views similar to FIG.3 but on a substantially reduced scale and with parts removed in orderto show the sequence of operations in a cycle of the bagging machine.

FIG. 21 shows the bag feeding, holding and tying devices prior to thestart of a cycle.

FIG. 22 shows the rocker arm mechanism of the bag feeding devicepositioning the partially inflated, elected bag over the spades on thespreader arms of the bag holding device.

FIG. 23 shows the spreader arms and spades holding the selected bag infully opened position.

FIG. 24 shows the clamp arms of the bag holding device contracted toclamp the bag against the spades.

FIG. 25 shows the bag being filled with produce.

FIG. 26 shows the bag being closed by the contracted spreader and clamparms as it is moved toward the tying device.

FIG. 27 shows the closed bag positioned in and being tied by the tyingdevice.

FIG. 28 shows the tied bag when released from the holding and tyingdevices onto a conveyor belt.

FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control system for thebagging machine.

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram of the pneumatic control system for thebagging machine. 7 1

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Introduction Referring to thedrawings, and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic bagging machineconstituting a preferred embodiment of the invention is generallydesignated at B and is shown in operative relationship with an automaticproduce weighing machine generally indicated at W. In the operativerelationship shown, each machine is particularly adapted for jointintercontrolled operation with the other, and this is the preferredarrangement. However, it is to be understood that each machine may beoperated independently. For example, weighing machine W may be used tofill bags with produce directly by. being equipped with a dischargescoop (not shown) over which the .open empty bags are manuallypositioned for the bag filling operations, such as disclosed in US. Pat.Nos.

2,889,130 and 2,889,131. Likewise, automatic bagging and operationthereof will be given in view of its adaptation for use with automaticbagging machine B. Hence, as shown in FIGS. l and 2, weighing machine Wincludes an upwardly inclined produce supply hopper 2, a fast feedhousing 4, a weighing compartment 6 and a discharge housing d, allarranged in sequence from right to left. The delivery end of feedhousing 4 is suitably mounted on the upper end of a box-like supportcabinet 1h having dependinglegs l2, with the cantilever entrance end ofhousing 4 being supported by one or more inclined struts M extendingfrom cabinet 10. The upper delivery end of supply hopper 2 is suitablysupported at the upper entrance end of feed housing 4 in communicationtherewith, while the lower end of hopper 2 is supported by one or moreinclined struts 16 extending outwardly from cabinet 10. Weighingcompartment 6 is suitably supported for vertical movement with respectto cabinet 10 on a member 18 which constitutes the commodity outrider ofa suitable beam type weighing mechanism (not shown), but which may bethe same as or similar to the weighing mechanisms disclosed in the abovepatents. Next, discharge chute or housing 8 is arranged transversely atthe outer end of weighing compartment 6 and is suitably supported toincline downwardly and outwardly to one side from the delivery end ofweighing compartment 6 by frame work including depending legs (notshown) supported by one or more cantilever beamsZll and inclined struts22 projecting from the front or left end of cabinet 10. As will beevident from FlGS. l and 2,. both ends of'feed housing 4 and weighingcompartment 6 are open, with their adjacent ends in communication witheach other, while the entrance end of housing d communicates with theopen upper delivery end of hopper 2 and the delivery end of weighingcompartment 6 communicates with an opening in the upper adjacent side ofdischarge chute d, all Y for the proper feeding, weighing anddischarging the produce. However, while both hopper 2 and feed housing 4are stationary, as is discharge chute ti, weighing compartment 6 isarranged to move vertically with respect to both housing and chute d byreason of its mounting on member iii and its associated weighingmechanism. I

A power driven supply conveyor 24 is suitably an ranged in hopper 2 forfeeding the produce upwardly over a baffle plate 26 into feed housing'4containing a power driven, fast feed conveyor 28 and a vibratoryplatform 30. Most of the produce is deposited on conveyor 28, while aminor portion thereof is deposited on platform 30. As the produce is fedfrom conveyor 28 to a power driven weighing conveyor 32 suitably mountedinweighing compartment 6, the weighing compartment descends untilslightly under the desired weight is reached, at which time fast feedconveyor 28 is stopped, while the vibratory plate 30 is actuated tobring the weight to the predetermined amount desired,

by dribbling produce to weighing conveyor 32 in small amounts, at whichtime it also stops.

As will be evidentfrom FlG. l, weighing conveyor 32 includes a pluralityof transversely spaced belts 34 which are arranged close enough togetherto prevent the produce from falling therethrough, but far enough apartto permit the hook members 3% of a multiple hook gate mechanism 36toextend upwardly above conveyor 32 and restrain the produce fromentering discharge housing ii until weighing compartment it is up toweight. Once this occurs, gate 36 is tripped or dropped to a positionbelow conveyor 32 in any suitable manner so that the produce can enterdischarge housing 8 and be deposited on a power driven conveyor 39suitably mounted therein for filling open bag b in bagging machine B.

This may be accomplished by a lever or crank 40 having its lower endfixed to a common transverse shaft 411 rotatably mounted in compartmentti and fixed to the rear ends of hook members 28, with its upper endoperatively connected to the piston of a two-way air motor 42 suitablymounted on the outside of compartment 6 and operated through fluid lines14,46 by a solenoid-actuated four-way air valve 48 supplied through aline 50 from a suitable compressed air source (not shown) and alsoprovided with a line 52 leading to automatic bagging machine B for apurpose to be described below. As will be evident from FIG. 2, duringthe power stroke of motor 42 the compressed air flows through line 50,valve 48 and line 41 4 to the inlet of motor 42 with line 46 beingconnected to exhaust, thereby causing its piston to extend to the leftand pivot lever 40 to drop hook members 38 of gate as below conveyor 32.At the same time, air flows through line 52 to bagging machine B. Duringthe exhaust or return stroke of motor 42, the flow is reversed to returnlever 28 and platform 30, but also energizes control solenoid i 56 toactuate valve 48 for the power stroke of motor 42. This electricalcontrol system contains a time delay relay (not shown) so that after apredetermined period of time during which all the produce clearsdepressed gate 36 and weighing conveyor 32 and compartment 6 return tothe unloaded position showmsolenoid coil 36 will be de-energized,thereby reversing valve 48 and the air flow through motor 42 to returnlever 40 and hook members 38 of gate 36 to their restraining positionsshown, while at the same time restarting fast feed conveyor 28. Exceptas set forth below, supply conveyor 24, weighing conveyor 32 anddischarge conveyor 39 are continuously driven by such: electricalcontrol system -54 for each successive weighing operation. However, iffor some reason, gate 36 is prevented from tripping or dumping, say bebagging machine B, should a bag b not be in the desired position shownin FIG. 2, then supply conveyor 24 also will be stopped by electricalcontrol system 54, so as to avoid overloading fast feed conveyor 28 andvibratory platform 30. For this purpose, part of the electrical controlsystem of bagging machine B in the form of limit switch 501 is mountedon a bracket 58 extending laterally from the lower end of dischargechute 8, as shown in FIG. 1, and will be described in detail below.

The aforedescribed operation of automatic weighing machine W is quitesimilar to that described in the above mentioned patents, with theprincipal exceptions that the produce load on weighing conveyor 32 isbrought up to the desired weight automatically by vibrating platform 30,instead of manually, that automatic bagging machine B of the inventionis provided with an electrical control system (to be described below)for controlling the tripping of gate 36 instead of the bag fillingscoops disclosed in such patents, and that the tripping of such gate inturn controls the operation of bagging machine B, as will be describedin detail below.

AUTOMATIC BAGGING MACHINE General The inventive automatic baggingmachine B is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 3-30 of the drawings, andreferring particularly to FIG. 3, bagging machine B is generallycomposed of a supporting framework 100, a bag feeding device ormechanism 200, a bag holding device or mechanism 300 and a bag tyingdevice or mechanism 400. The electro-pneumatic control system for themachine includes the electrical control circuitry 500 shown in FIG. 29and the fluid control circuitry 600 shown in FIG. 30.

Framework Continuing with FIG. 3, framework 100 for bagging machine Bincludes a variety of supporting members and brackets which arepreferably made of metal and welded together, unless otherwisespecified. Likewise, a number of these'members, particularly the belowdescribed leg and'arm members are longitudinally adjustable by anysuitable means, such as the set screws and nuts shown thereon, while anumber of brackets are likewise adjustably mounted by means of nuts andbolts, most of which screws, nuts and bolts are not numbered forsimplicity of description.

Thus, framework 100 includes a generally rectangular, reinforced raisedbase or platform l02 on which is mounted an adjustable front verticaltubular leg 104 provided with an L-shaped bearing plate 106 which isslotted for rotatably supporting the rocker structure of bag feedingdevice 200. At the rear of platform 102 is mounted a central adjustablevertical tubular leg 108 which is provided with a horizontal andforwardly extending, adjustable arm 110 (FIG. supporting a verticaltransverse, rectangular plate 112 which acts as a buffer for the produceas it is being emptied into bag b. At its upper end, leg 108 terminatesin a horizontal and forwardly extending arm 114 which, together with alike lower tubular arm 116 support a vertical transverse, rectangularplate 118 for mounting various brackets and the bag holding device ormechanism 300. As also seen in FIG. 17, the rear of plate 118 isprovided at its lower right end with an upwardly and outwardly inclinedbracket 120 having an outstanding flange 121 supporting an adjustablestop screw 122 for limiting movement of bag holding device 300 towardbag tying device 400. Also adjustably mounted on bracket is a downwardlyand outwardly extending bracket 124 for supporting one-way limit switch506. As best shown in FIG. 3, an upwardly extending bracket 126 isadjustably mounted on the upper front end of mounting plate 118 forsupporting limit switch 504. Continuing with FIGS. 3 and 17, anelongated horizontal bracket 128 extends outwardly to the left from thelower rear side of plate 118, and its outer or left end is provided witha reentrant yoke-130,-for pivotally supporting air motor 331 of bagholding device 300. Bracket 128 is reinforced by a strut 132 secured toits outer rear end and central vertical leg 108. To the right of yokeand adjustably mounted on the front of bracket 128 is an upwardlyextending bracket 134 which supports one-way limit switch 502 and isprovided with a horizontal flange 136'for supporting time delay airmotor 688 for controlling movement of bag holding device 300. To theright of bracket 134 another upwardly inclined bracket 138 is adjustablymounted on the front of horizontal bracket 128 for supporting limitswitch 503, and to the right ofv bracket 138 but extending from the rearside of bracket 138 is a short, inclined bracket 140 supporting an'adjustable stop screw 142 (as best seen in FIGS. 6 and 17) for limitingreturn movement of bag holding device 300 from bag tying device 400 tobag feeding device 200.

Returning to FIG. 3, central vertical leg 108 is provided below mountingplate 118 with a transverse horizontal adjustable tubular arm 144 whichis reinforced by an outer vertical adjustable tubular leg 146 extendingupwardly from base 102 and which terminates at its outer or right end ina vertically adjustable, tubular down leg 148, which is provided (FIGS.10 and 11) with a forwardly extending, horizontally adjustable tubularleg 150 for supporting bag tying mechanism 400.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 11, an elongated and horizontal, transversereinforcing bar 152 is secured across the rear of legs 108,146 and 148to reinforcethe framework and to provide a support for the followingbrackets. Just to the left of leg 108 (FIG. 9) bar 152 is provided withan upwardly extending dual stop bracket 154 which is provided with aforwardly extending lower flange 156 having an adjustable screw 157forming a lower stop for the rocker structure of bag feeding device 200and at its upper end with a like flange 158 mounting an adjustable screw160 which forms an upper stop for such rocker structure.

To the left of bracket 154 is a downwardly depending bracket 162 securedto the front side ofbar 152, and as shown in FIGS. 3, 8, and 11, bracket162' terminates in a forwardly extending flange 164 to which is secureda downwardly inclined bracket 166 for pivotally supporting air motor 220of the rocker arm structure of bag feeding device 200. To the left ofbracket 162 (FIGS. 3 and 9) and secured to the rear side of bar 152 isan upstanding bracket 168 adjustably supporting an elongated horizontalbracket 170 which supports limit switch 507 at its left end and one-waylimit switch 508 at its right end, both actuated by such rockerstructure for controlling the operation of bag holding device 300. Atits outer left end (FIG. 9) bar 152 is slotted in the same manner asbearing plate 106 (FIG. 3) for adjustably rotatably supporting suchrocker structure.

9 Bag Feeding Device The bag feeding device or mechanism is generallyindicated at 200 and is illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5, 7-9 and 11. As bestseen in FIGS. 3, 5, and 11, mechanism 200 includes a rotatable shaftstructure 202 adjustably t mounted in the slots in bearing plate 106 andbar 152 (FIG; 9). Fixed to shaft 202 are front and rear rocker arms 204extending inwardly or to the right toward the center. of frame 100 andterminate at their outer ends in inturned flanges 206 connected by anelongated air blast tube 208 having perforations 209 in its lowersurface (FIGS. and 8A) to initiate the bag opening operation as will bedescribed in detail below. Tube 200 is secured to flanges 206 by U-bolts210 and straps 212 with the front end of tube 208 being closed and itsrear end connected by line 663 to a suitable compressed air source 602(FIG. 30) as will be described in greater detail below.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, front rocker arm 204 is provided with adownwardly depending bale 214 pivotally mounted at its upper end andterminating at its lower end in a rearwardly extending horizontal arm216 for restraining the lower ends of bag b to prevent swinging thereofand interference with the bag filling operation to be described below.Intermediate its inner and outer ends rear rocker arm 204 has pivotallymounted thereon the upper end of a piston rod 218 of an air motor 220having a lower extension 222 pivotally mounted on bracket 166 forrocking or oscillating rocker arms 204 upwardly and downwardly about theaxis of shaft structure 202 for the bag feeding and opening operations.Rear rocker arm is in line with the roller-carrying contact arm 507 ofswitch 507 for actuating the same on the way up, and is provided at itsright end with a rearwardly extending flange 205 (FIGS. 8 and 9) forengagement with lower and upper stops 157,160 to limit oscillation ofthe rocker structure and for actuating one-way switch 508 by engagementwith its roller-carrying contact arm 508', but only on the down strokeof the rocker structure. Although flange 205 does engage switch arm 508on the way up, the latter collapses instead of closing the switchcontacts, and as flange 205 rises past arm 508 it is springbiased backto the position shown for contact closing action when re-engaged byflange 205 on the down stroke.

Referring now to FIG. .7, each bag b preferably is made of polyethyleneand is composed of a front side b1 and a longer rear side b2 whichextends above the upper end of the front side and is provided withtransversely spaced through holes or openings b3. These bags M arenormally provided in stacks of up to about 500 (only a few of which areshown) pre-mounted on rods or wires 224 (FIGS. 3 and 8A) such bags androds being mounted on the bag feeding mechanism 200 by the followingstructure. I

As illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 11, air blast tube 208 has its inner sideprovided with spaced holes 226 corresponding to holes b3 of bags b toreceive the outer ends of rods 224, the inner or left ends of which aresupported by the following structure. A pair of upwardly inclined barsor straps 228 are provided at their inner ends with transverse collars230 mounted over shaft 202 and adjustably fixed thereto by means of setscrews 232. The downwardly inclined right ends 234 of bars 228 areprovided with longitudinal collars 236 to slidably receive the inner orleft ends of rods 224, the positions of which may be adjustably fixed byset screws 238.

For installation of an assembly of rods 224 and bags b, it will beassumed that the support bars 228 are swung upwardly out of operativeposition, whereupon the right ends of rods 224 are inserted into holes226 in tube 208 until they engage the inner periphery of tube 208,whereupon support arms 22.?! are swung backinto operative position sothat collars 236 receive the left ends of rods 224, whereupon the setscrews 232 and 238 are tightened to fix rods 224 and supporting bars 228in the operative position shown, wherein the rods are inclineddownwardly to the right, there being sufficient clearance between rods224 and the walls forming holes 226 in bar 208 to permit pivoting of therods to facilitate insertion into collars 236. The inclination of rods224- facilitates feeding of the bags which are kept in closely stackedrelationship by the following structure.

As best seen in FIGS. 3, 8, 8A, 8B and 11, an elongated rectangular feedplate 240 is provided on its left side with upstanding hooks 242 whichare designed to fit over rods 224 after their assembly in collars 236,and at its central bottom portion feed plate 240 is provided with adepending strap 244 inclined slightly to the left and terminating withan upwardly inclined rod or tine 246 on which is slidably mounted acylindrical counterweight 248 which actsto maintain feed plate 240 andthe upper ends of bags b in a generally vertical position, despite theinclination of rods 224, in order to facilitate the bag openingoperation. Thus, bags b are fed by gravity feed plate one by one to bagholding device 300.

Bag Holding Device The bag holding device or mechanism 300 isillustrated in FIGS. 3-6, 8, 17-20A and 2128. This mechanism actuallyremoves bag b from bag feeding device 200 (FIGS. 21 and 22), and spreadsand clamps the bag in open position for the bag filling operation (FIGS.23-25). When the bag is filled, this mechanism closes the filled bag andtransfers the same to tying mechanism 400 (FIGS. 26,27) and followingwhich 7 operation the tied bag is released by such holding mechanism(FIG. 28), which returns for a repeat cycle. Referring now to FIGS. 3and 4, bag holding mechanism 300 is suspended from mounting plate 11'8 Ion frame work by a mounting'bracket structure 301 composed of front andrear rectangular plates 302 spaced and connected by left and rightsleeves 303. Left sleeve 303 is welded to' plates 302 while right sleeve303 swivels on internal bosses 302' and is provided on its upper surfacewith an upstanding hook arm s04 (FIGS. 3 and 5 adapted to selectivelyactuatelimit switches 504 and 503 respectively by engagement with theirroller-carrying contact arms 504' and503. The right hand portions ofplates 302 and bosses 302 are perforated to receive a stub'shaft 305which is welded in and extends horizontally forwardly from mountingplate 118 with its front end having exterior threads. Mounting bracketstructure 301 thus is oscillatable about the axis of stub shaft 305 andis spaced from mounting plate 118 by a rear spacer sleeve 306 with a nut307 threaded over the outer end of shaft 305 securing such bracketstructure in place, while washers 308 are sandwiched between plates 302and sleeve 306 and nut 307 respectively to facilitate the desiredoscillation. Hence, as will be referred to in greater detail below, bagholding mechanism 300 pivots about a single axis, with right sleeve 303being independently pivotable with respect to bracket structure 301. BagSpreading Structure Continuing with FIG. 3, the structure for spreadingeach bag b includes a leading tubular spreader arm 309 having its upperend welded to the lower surface of the right hand mounting sleeve 303for oscillation therewith and depends downwardly to a backwardlyinclined lower end portion 310 to the inner side of which is welded anelongated and generally rectangular bag spreading spade 311 having aslightly forwardly bent lower portion 312 provided with forwardlyextending stops 313 (FIG. for limiting the upward movement of each bag bwhen inserted over such lower end portion 312, which terminates at itsbottom with a rounded and tapered edge portion 314 to facilitate entryinto bag 12. The upper end of trailing tubular spreader arm 315 islikewise welded to the under surface of left sleeve 303 and is inclineddownwardly and backwardly to a slightly forwardly bent depending lowerportion 316 provided at its lower end with a transverse horizontalsleeve 317 (FIG. 8) pivotally mounted in a yoke bracket 318 welded tothe rear of trailing spade 319, the lower end portion 320 of which isbent slightly backwardly and is rounded like lower leading spade portion320 but terminates slightly above tapered lower edge portion 314 of thelatter. At its front upper end portion trailing spade 319 is providedwith an upwardly extending arm or tab 321 for actuating switch 501 byengagement with its roller-carrying arm 50!, and as shown in FIG. A, theupper rear end portion of spade 319 is provided with a backwardlyextending, L-shaped bracket 322 carrying a stop screw 323 for limitingthe pivotal movement of spade 319 relative to spreader arm 315, all forproper actuation of such switch, as will be described below.

Relative movement of leading spreader arm 309 toward an away fromtrailing spreader arm 315 is controlled by the structure illustrated inFIG. 18 and which includes air motor 324 having a rear extension 325pivotally mounted in a reentrant yoke 326 of bracket 327 welded to thefront side of trailing spreader arm 315. Motor 324 is provided with aforwardly extending piston rod extension 328 which is pivotally mountedto reentrant flange 329 on bracket 330 likewise welded to I the front ofleading spreader arm 309.

Swinging Structure 1 The structure for swinging bag holding mechanism300 from the position shown in FIG. 3 toward typing device 400 isillustrated in FIGS. 3 to 17 as including air motor 331 having a rearextension 322 pivotally mounted in yoke 130 on mounting plate 118. Motor331 is provided with a forward piston rod extension 333 which ispivotally mounted in a U-shaped bracket 334, the closed end of which iswelded to the back side of trailing spreader arm 315. The rear arm legor flange of bracket 334 is provided with a rearwardly extending flange335 which, as best shown in FIG. 6, is engageable with adjustable stopscrew 142 on inclined flange 140 secured to supporting bracket 128, allto limit the return movement of bag holding mechanism 300 to theposition shown in FIG. 3.

Bag Clamping Structure As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the bag clampingstructure which is operatively associated with the bag spreadingstructure, includes a leading depending tubular clamp arm 336 which isprovided at its upper end with a transverse sleeve 337 (FIG. 5)pivotally mounted in a yoke bracket 338 welded to the outer or leadingside of leading spreader arm 309 adjacent the upper end thereof. Spaceda short distance below bracket 338 and welded to the leading side ofclamp arm 336 is a plate 339 adapted to engage adjustable stop screw 122on bracket 120 for limiting the forward movement of bag holdingmechanism 300 as its positions the filled bag within tying mechanism 400(FIG. 27). Spaced below plate 339 and welded to clamp arm 336 is aforwardly extending bracket 340 having a rearwardly extending rod 341(FIG. 19) which is adapted to engage roller-carrying contact arm 506 ofone-way limit switch 506 mounted on bracket 124. Rod 341 only actuatesswitch 506 momentarily as it engages arm 506 as bag holding device isswung to tying device 400 and passes arm 506 when plates 339 engagesstop 122. On return movement of bag holding device to the position ofFIGS. 3 and 21, rod 341 wipes switch arm 506 which collapses instead ofactuating switch 506 and then springs back to the FIG. 3 position, inthe same manner as described above for one-way switch 508. Continuingwith FIG. 3, clamp arm 336 is provided with a rearwardly inclined lowerportion 342 terminating at its lower end in a rearwardly extending elbow343 provided with an inverted L-shaped flange 344 to the rear verticalside of which is adhered a resilient clamping member 345 made ofsuitable material such as rubber or the like.

The depending trailing clamp arm 346 is provided at its upper end with atransverse sleeve (not shown) like sleeve 337 and is suitably secured ina yoke bracket 347 welded to the rear side of trailing spreader arm 315adjacent the upper end thereof. As will be evident from FIG. 3, trailingclamp arm 346 is inclined downwardly and rearwardly to a substantiallyvertical lower end portion 348 terminating in a forwardly extendingelbow 349 provided with an inverted L-shaped flange 350 having adheredto the vertical leg thereof a resilient clamping member 351 like member345.

The relative movement between trailing spreader arm 315 and trailingclamp arm 346 is controlled by the structure illustrated in FIGS. 3 and19. This structure includes air motor 352 having a rear extension 352pivotally mounted in yoke 353 of bracket 354 welded to the rear oftrailing clamp arm 346. At its forward end, motor 352 is provided with apiston rod extension 355 which is pivotally mounted on a reentrantflange 356 of bracket 357 which likewise is welded to the rear oftrailing spreader arm 315. The relative movement between leading clamparm 336 and leading spreader arm 309 is controlled by similar structurewhich is shown in FIG. 20. This structure includes air motor 358provided with a rear extension 359 pivotally mounted in yoke 360 ofbracket 361 welded to the rear of leading clamp arm 309. A piston rodextension 362 extends forwardly from air motor 358 and is pivotallymounted on reentrant flange 363 of bracket 364 likewise welded to therear of leading clamp arm 336. Bag Tying Device The bag tying device ormechanism is shown in FIGS. 3 and 10-16 and is generally indicated at400.

lid

Housing Structure Referring particularly to FIGS. 3, 111 and 12, thehousing structure of this device includes an elongated platform 401inclined slightly downwardly to the left and provided with dependingfront and rear flanges 402 having aligned front and rear openings 402receiving adjustable horizontal tubular leg 1511 suitably welded to theflanges. As seen in FIG. 3, front flange 4&2 is provided with arectangular opening 404 for passage of part of the tape twistingmechanism to be described below, while rear flange 4&2 is provided witha rectangular opening 4135 (FlG. 16) and a rearwardly extending flange4% for support of and access to a one-way electrical limit switch 565having a collapsible rollercarrying arm 5W5, like switches 50d and 508.

As best seen in FIG. 12, platform 4ll ll is provided at its left endwith a concavely curved and generally V- shaped bag receiving slot 4terminating in a narrow closed throat portion 4W5. Just to the right ofthe throat portion, platform 4 0i is provided successively with anelongated rectangular slot 407 and an inverted T-shaped slot 40% forportions of the tape twisting mechanism. Likewise, to the rear of slot403, platform 401 is provided with an upstanding longitudinal ear or tab409 which is struck out for supporting part of the tape feedingmechanism to be described below, and to the rear of this tab 4419 is anupstanding transverse tab 410 likewise struck out for supporting anotherpart of such tape feeding mechanism.

Such housing structure is provided at its left end with a cover plate411 (FIG. M) which is mounted above and in spaced relationship to theleft end portion of platform 402 by means of four bolts 412, three ofwhich are provided with metallic spacer sleeves 413, with the right rearbolt 4E2 being provided with a resilient rubber or the like spacersleeve 414 which also acts as a rear stop for the packer arm mechanismto be described below. Cover plate 411 also is provided with a curvedentrance slot 415 having a reduced throat portion 415 at its closed end,each matching slot 406 and throat portion 406' respectively in platform401. At is right end, cover plate 411 is provided with an upstandingflange 416 (FIG. 13) having reversely bent ears or lugs 417 at its frontand rear sides. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13-15, there is supported uponflange 416 the upper or top wall 418 of a raised cover member includingfront and rear side walls 419 and a right end wall 420 supported onplatform 401. As best seen in FIG. 3, the left end portions421 of sidewalls 419 extend over ears 417 and are removably secured thereto by anysuitable means such as bolts 422. Returning to FIG. 11, cover plate 411additionally is provided with a small central opening 423 to expose aportion of the tape twisting mechanism adjacent throat 415' of slot 4115and an enlarged, irregularly shaped rear slot 424 to expose a portion ofthe packet arm mechanism. Likewise, flange 416 is cut away at 425 (FIG.14) and top wall 418 is cut away at 426 to expose portions of the tapecutting and twisting structure, while rear wall 419 is cut away at 427(FIG. 13) for passage of tape t and its feeding structure. Packer ArmMechanism The packer arm mechanism, which is designed to gather or packthe upper end of closed filled bag b into the throat formed by matchingportions 406', 415' of slots 405 and 415 respectively, for the tyingoperation,

is illustrated in FIGS. 12-14 and 16. As shown in FIG. 12, suchmechanism includes a solid and generally wing-shaped packer arm 428having upper and lower sides 429 connected by a peripheral end wall 430,with the upper end of packer arm 428 being fixed on a vertical rockershaft 431, (FIG. 13) extending upwardly through platform 4M androtatably mounted in a sleeve 432 depending downwardly from suchplatform. To the lower end of shaft 431 is fixed one end ofa link orcrank 433 (FIG. 16), the opposite end of which is adapted to actuateone-way limit switch 505 (but only during clockwise movement, as will bedescribed below), for controlling the operation of the clamping andswinging mechanisms of bag holding device 300, and on its left sidecrank 433 is provided with a flange 434 adapted to actuate two-way airvalve 666 suitably mounted to the underside of platform 401, forcontrolling the operation of the tape twisting mechanism. lPivotallyconnected to such crank 433 is the piston rod 435 of a double acting airmotor 436, the opposite end of which is pivotally mounted by means of acollar 437 on a bolt 438 extending downwardly through platform 401.

Continuing with FIGS. 12-14, packer arm 42% is provided adjacent itsinner or leading, concave side with a longitudinal through slot 439 forpassage of tape t, which may be of any suitable construction, butpreferably is composed of a wire (not shown) embedded in a plasticribbon. in such concave side, packer arm 428 is provided with agenerally spadeshaped slot 440 which is designed to gather the upper endof the closed filled bag 12 into the entrance slot throat formed byportions 406' and 415 to facilitate the tying operation. Just to theright of slot 440 is a relatively narrow and deep, blade-receiving slot441 for the tape cutting operation. At its right or pivot end, packerarm 428 is provided with an elongated outstanding tab or flange 442which acts as aguide for the passage of tape t through the packer arm,and on its right rear side, packer arm 428 is provided with anadjustable screw 443 for actuating two-way valve 662 suitably mounted onplatform 401 for controlling the operation of the tape feedingmechanism. 7 i As shown in FIG. 12, packer arm 428 is illustrated insolid lines in its inoperative position against resilient stop 414 withtape t extending through the packer arm prior to the'cutting and tyingoperations. As packer arm 428 moves to its operative, dotted lineposition, its outer or free end engages suitable stop 444 mounted onplatform 401 for such cutting and tying operations. Tape CuttingStructure The tape cutting structure is shown in FIG. 12 as beingcomposed of an L-shaped bracket 445 suitably secured by bolts toplatform 401, with its upstanding flange portion being provided with anelongated knife 446 adapted to enter packer arm slot 441. Thus, itsevers tape t as soon as packer arm 428 reaches its dotted lineoperative position engaging stop 444. Tape Feeding Mechanism The tapefeeding mechanism is shown in FIGS. 12-15, and includes a reel 447rotatably mounted on a post or spindle 448 extending upwardly fromplatform 4011, with tape t passing from reel 447'through an elongatedguide 449 suitably mounted on platform 401, whereupon the tape isengaged in: the nip of bite between the two knurled rollers. Frontroller 450 is suitably rotatably mounted on an elongated arm 451, theopposite or right end of which is suitably pivoted on platform 401 andis provided intermediate its ends with an outstanding transversecompression spring 452 engaging tab 409 for resiliently biasing roller450 into engagement with tape t. Rear roller 453 likewise is rotatablymounted on platform 401, but is provided with a one-way clutch 454(FIGS. 13 and 15) carrying an upper sprocket wheel 455 which isconnected by endless link chain 456 with a right drive sprocket wheel457 suitably rotatably mounted on platform 401. Fixed to chain 456 is alug or extension 458 on piston rod 459 of a one-way, spring return, airmotor 460 suitably mounted in cantilever fashion on platform 401 bymeans of bracket 461.

At this point, it is to be noted that tape t is only fed to packer arm428 as the latter returns from its operative, dotted line position toits inoperative, solid line position of FIG. 12, because eventhoughpiston rod 459 of air motor 460 extends from right to left in FIG. 12until it strikes adjustable stop screw 462 on tab 410, clutch mechanism454 prevents rotation of rear feed roller 453. Hence, only uponretraction of piston rod 459 to the position shown in FIG. 12, is tape tfed through packer arm 428 in its inoperative solid line position,because clutch mechanism 454 now positively connects sprocket 455 androller 453 to drive the latter in a clockwise direction, causing idlerroller 450 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction and so feed tapet.

Tape Twisting Mechanism Tying device 400 is completed by the tapetwisting mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 12, 12 and 15. The supportingstructure for such tape twisting mechanism includes a front extensionflange 463 on platform 401 to which is secured a depending front wall orbracket 464 7 (FIG. 15) which is connected to a rear end wall or bracket465 depending downwardly from platform 401 by left and right side walls466,467. The latter is provided with an upstanding bearing flange 468projecting upwardly through slot 408 in platform 401, while left sidewall 466 is provided with an outstanding bracket 468 terminating inupstanding bearing flange 470 likewise extending upwardly through slot407 inplatform 401. These bearing flanges rotatably support an elongatedtwister drive shaft 471 which is prevented from axial movement by acollar 472 adjacent flange 470 and a collar 473 adjacent flange 468. Atits right end, twister drive shaft 471 is provided with a pinion 474 andat is left end with a tape twister head 475 (FIG. 12A) having oppositelyextending curved peripheral hook portions 476 which catch and twist tapet, which has been cut to length and bellowed out behind the gathered bagin slot 440, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 12.

Continuing with FIGS. 12 and 14, pinion 474 is driven by a large gear477 having fixed on its left side or hub a sprocket wheel 478 forrotation therewith, such gear and sprocket assembly being rotatablymounted on a transverse shaft '479 suitably fixed in side walls 466,467,with such gear and sprocket assembly being held in the desired positionby spacer sleeves 480 and 481 respectively. As shown in FIG. 15, a frontsprocket wheel 482 is provided and is suitably rotatably mounted on atransverse shaft 483 also fixed in side wall 466,467. Sprocket wheel 482is maintained in alinement with sprocket wheel 478 by suitable spacersleeves (not shown) and is connected thereto by an endless link chain484. To the lower side of this chain is fixed a lug or extension 485 onpiston rod 486 of a oneway, spring return air motor 487 mounted incantilever fashion in depending bracket 464, with the stroke of pistonrod 486 being determined by a forwardly extending, adjustable stop screw488 mounted in the rear end wall 465.

Hence, upon actuation of valve 666 by flange 434 (FIG. 16) when packerarm 428 is in its dotted line operative position of FIG. 12, piston rod486 (FIG. 15) is suddenly extended under air pressure to drive chain 484and large gear 477 (FIG. 14) counter-clockwise, whereupon pinion 474 andtwister head 475 are rapidly rotated in the opposite direction (but alsoseen as counter-clockwise in FIG. 12A), because of the gear ratio, totwist and tie tape t. As packer arm 428 retracts to its solid lineposition of FIG. 12, valve 666 is reversed, connecting air motor 487 toexhaust, whereupon piston rod 486 slowly retracts to its FIG. 15position under the influence of the spring (not shown) and the twisterhead reverses, while crank 433 actuates switch 505 (FIG. 16) to causethe tied bag b to be released and deposited on conveyor C (FIG. 28), awill be described in greater detail below. Electrical Control SystemReferring now to FIG. 29, the electrical control system for automaticbagging machine B is generally indicated at 500 and includes theaforementioned limit switches 501508, of which 502, 505, 506 and 508 areof the one-way type (i.e. are actuated only by engagement with theirroller carrying arms 502', 505, 506', and 508' from one direction, sucharms being springbiased to collapse when engaged from the oppositedirection. In addition, switch 502 is double-acting s will be seenbelow.

In the schematic wiring diagram shown, a suitable 60 cycle, alternatingcurrent, volt source is indicated at 510 as being connected across theinput and output power lines 512, 514, and as provided with a suitablemain on-off switch 516. The circuitry for controlling the operation ofthe clamping arm structure of bag holding device 300 includes a line 518connecting the input and output lines and containing in series from leftto right a fuse 520, normally open limit switch 508, and solenoid 'coil522 for actuating valve 642 (FIG. 30) controlling the operation of lampair motors 354,361 (FIG. 3). Another line 524 is connected across theinput and output lines and includes in series from left to right, a fuse526, normally closed limit switch 505, and the normally open switch orcontact 528 mechanically controlled by latching relay coil 530. Suchclamp control circuitry is completed by a shunt line 532 connected toline 518 between switch 508 and coil 522 and to line 524 between contact528 and relay coil 530. The circuitry for controlling the operation ofthe mechanism for swinging bag holding device 300 between bag feedingdevice 200 and bag tying device 400 includes line 534 connected acrossthe input and output lines and containing in series from left to right afuse 536, the normally open contact 502A of doubleacting switch 502 andsolenoid coil 538 for actuating valve 632 (FIG. 30) for controllingswinger air motor 331 (FIG. 3). This circuitry is connected to the clampcontrol circuitry by branch line 54-0 which is connected at its inputend to line 524 between switch 505 and relay contact 528 and at itsoutput end to output line 514. Line 540 includes in series from left toright the normally open contact 542 and latching relay coil 564mechanically controlling such contact, with a shunt line 546 beingconnected to line 50 between relay contact 542 and coil 544i and to line534 between switch contact 562A nd solenoid coil 538.

The circuitry for controlling operation of the bag spreading armmechanism of bag holding device 390 includes line 543 connected acrossthe input and output lines and including in series from left to right afuse 550, normally open limit switch 567 and solenoid coil 552 foractuating valve 676 (FIG. 36) controlling spreader air motor 324 (FIG.3). This spreading mechanism control circuit is tied in with theswinging mechanism control circuitry by branch line 554 which isconnected at its input end to line 534 between fuse 536 and normallyopen contact 562A of double'acting switch 502 and at its output end tooutput line 514. Line 554 includes in series from left to right thenormally closed contact 50213 of switch 502 and the normally opencontact 556 which is mechanically controlled by latching relay coil 558.A shunt line 560 completes such spreading mechanism control circuitry bybeing connected at one end to line 556 between relay contact 556 and itscoil 553 and to line 548 between switch 507 and solenoid coil 552.

The circuit for controlling operation of the rocker arm mechanism offeeding device 206 includes a line 562 connected across the input andoutput lines and containing in series from left to right, a fuse 564,normally open limit switch 50 and solenoid coil 566 for actuating valve622 (FIG. 36) for controlling rocker air motor 220 (FIG. 3).

The. circuit for controlling the actuation of the packer arm mechanismof tying device 600 includes a line 568 connected across the input andoutput lines and contains in series from left to right a fuse 570,normally open limit switch 506 and solenoid coil 572 for actuating valve652 (FIG. controlling the packer arm actuating air motor 436 (FIG. 3).

The electrical control system is completed by a line 574 which isconnected at its input end to the weighing machine electrical controlcircuitry schematically'indicated at 56 and which may have its ownsource (not shown), but for convenience is shown as connected to inputline 512. Line 576 contains in series from left to right solenoid coil56 for actuating valve Ml (FIG. 2) which controls the operation of airmotor 62 actuating gate 36 of weighing machine W, normally open limitswitch 501, also mounted on the weighting machine as shown in FIG. ll,and actuated by switch engaging arm 321 on trailing spade 319 of bagholding device 300 Referring to FIG. 30, automatic bagging machine B iscompleted by the pneumatic control system generally indicated at 600.This system includes a suitable source of compressed air 602 whichprovides air pressure at say lbs. psi to a main supply line 664containing in series from left to right a main on-off valve 606 providedwith a handle 608 for connecting the various air motors to supply 602 orfor bleeding the line. Next in sequence are filter 6M) and air pressureregulator 6ll2 which reduces the operating pressure in main line 664 to65 psi. Next in line is a tee 6M- feeding an automatic oiler 6E6 whichfeeds, in turn, a series of tees connected to the following air motorcontrol circuits.

The air circuit for controlling the operation of bag feeding device 266includes tee 6M and branch line 6211) leading to four-way valve 622which is controlled by the rocker arm solenoid coil 566 (FIG. 29) and isconnected to rocker arm air motor 220 by lines 626,626. Valve 622 has athrottledl exhaust which acts as a time delay less than a second tomaintain the rocker arm mechanism inits upper position (FIGS. 22,23) toensure proper removal of bag b from bag feeding device 200 by bagholding device 300. Hence, even though valve 622 may be reversed uponspreading of bag b (FIG. 23), the rocker arm mechanism will not retractto its lower position (FIGS. 3 and 24) until bag b is completely removedtherefrom, as will be described in greater detail below.

Next in series is the air circuit for controlling the operation of theswinging mechanism of bag holding device 300, and this includes tee 628connected by line 630 with four-way valve 632 which is controlled bysolenoid coil 538 (FIG. 29). Valve632 is connected to swinger air motor331 by lines 634,636.

The next air circuit serially connected to line 604 is that whichcontrols the operation of the clamp actuating mechanism of bag holdingdevice 360 and includes tee 638 connected by line 640 with four-wayvalve 642 controlled by solenoid coil 536 (FIG. 29). Valve 642, in turn,is connected to the trailing clamp arm air motor 352 by lines 644,646,while the leading clamp arm air motor 358 is connected in parallel tomotor 352 by lines 645,647 forming extensions of. lines 646,646respectively. Hence, clamp control air motors 352,358

are simultaneouslyactuated by valve 642.

The air circuit for controlling the operation of the packer-armmechanism of bag tying device 400 includes tee 643 connected by line 650to four-way valve 652 controlled by solenoid coil 5772 (FIG. 29). Thisvalve, in turn, is connected by lines 656,656 to air motor 436, and likevalve 622 has a throttled exhause acting as a time delay of less than asecond for maintaining packer arm 62% in its operative dotted lineposition of FIG. I2 until the twisting operation is completed,notwithstanding reversal of valve 652, as will be explained below.

Main air supply line 604 terminates in a tee 658 which feeds the aircircuits for controlling both the tape feeding and tape twistingmechanism of tying device 460. The air control circuit for the tapefeeding mechanism includes branch line 666 containing air switch ortwo-way valve 662 which is controlled by the packer arm mechanism eitherto supply air pressure to one-way, spring return air motor 460 or to cutoff the supply and connect the motor to exhaust. Likewise, the

1. An automatic bagging machine comprising support means, bag feedingmeans mounted on said support means, bag tying means mounted on saidsupport means in opposed spaced relationship to said feeding means, bagholding means movably mounted on said support means between said feedingand tying means and including spreading means, clamping means andswinging means, and an electrical control system for actuating anddeactuating said feeding, holding and tying means in timed sequence,said electrical control system including feeder control means energizedby said holding means when moved to said feeding means by said swingingmeans to actuate said feeding means to partially open and feed thepartially open end of an empty bag to said spreading means, spreadercontrol means energized and latched by said actuated feeding means toactuate said spreading means to spread open and remove the bag from saidfeeding means and to deenergize said feeder control means and deactuatesaid feeding means, clamp control means energized and latched by saiddeactuated feeding means to actuate said clamping means to clamp the bagagainst said spreading means prior to the bag filling operation, dualswinger and closer control means simultaneously responsive to completionof such bag filling operation, with said closer control means beingdeenergized to unlatch said spreader control means and deactuate saidspreading means while said clamping means remain actuated to collapseand close said filled bag, tyer control means energized by said holdingmeans upon reaching said tying means to actuate said tying means to tiesaid closed and filled bag, and recycle control means deenergized bysaid tying means when the bag is tied to simultaneously unlatch saidclamp control means and said swinger control means, thereby deactuatingand opening said clamping means to release said tied bag, as well asdeactuating said swinging means to move said holding means from saidtying means to said feeding means for reenergizing said feeder controlmeans.
 2. The automatic bagging machine of claim 1 in combination with aweighing machine including chute means for delivering a predeterminedweight of material to fill said open emptY bag, weighing means includingconveyor means for delivering said predetermined weight of material tosaid chute means, movable gate means for restraining said material insaid weighing means until said predetermined weight is reached, andelectrical control means for actuating said gate means upon saidpredetermined weight of material being reached to deliver the same tosaid chute means, for deactuating said gate means, and forsimultaneously energizing and latching said swinger control means anddeenergizing said closer control means upon completion of such bagfilling operation.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said electricalcontrol system of said automatic bagging machine includes enablingcontrol means energized by said actuated spreading means upon said bagbeing spread open to enable said electrical control means of saidweighing machine to actuate said gate means.
 4. The combination of claim3 wherein said electrical control system of said automatic baggingmachine includes disabling control means deenergizable by said actuatedspreading means in the event no bag is mounted thereon to prevent saidelectrical control means of said weighing machine from actuating saidgate means notwithstanding subsequent energization of said enablingcontrol means by said actuated clamping means.
 5. The combination ofclaim 4 wherein said automatic bagging machine includes time delaymeans, and said electrical control means of said weighing machineautomatically determines said predetermined weight of material,simultaneously actuates said gate means and said time delay means uponsaid predetermined weight of material being reached to deliver the sameto said chute means, and simultaneously deactuates said gate means andtime delay means upon such delivery to recycle the weighing operationwithout awaiting completion of the bag filling operation, but with saiddeactuated time delay means simultaneously energizing and latching saidswinger control means and deenergizing said closer control means onlyupon completion of said bag filling operation following delivery of saidpredetermined weight of material to said open bag.
 6. The combination ofclaim 5 wherein said enabling control means include normally openenabling switch means in circuit with said electrical control means ofsaid weighing machine and closed by said actuated spreading means uponsaid bag being spread open, said disabling control means includenormally closed disabling switch means in circuit with said enablingswitch means and opened by said actuated spreading means in the event nobag is mounted thereon, and said time delay means include fluid motormeans operatively associated with said dual swinger and closer controlmeans and said electrical control means of said weighing machine.
 7. Theautomatic bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said feeding means aremounted on said support means for movement toward and away from saidholding means, and include means for partially opening an empty bagthereon.
 8. The automatic bagging machine of claim 7 wherein said feedercontrol means include normally open switch means closed by said holdingmeans, and solenoid means energized by said closed switch means formoving said feeding means toward said holding means to feed thepartially opened empty bag over said deactuated spreading means.
 9. Theautomatic bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said spreading meansinclude spreader arm means mounted on said support means for movementrelatively apart and together.
 10. The automatic bagging machine ofclaim 9 wherein said spreader control means include normally open switchmeans closed by said actuated feeding means, solenoid means energized bysaid closed switch means for moving said spreader arm means relativelyapart to spread open and remove the empty bag from said feeding meansand to deactuate said feeding means, and relay means energized andlatched by said closed switch means to maintain said solenoid meansenergized until said relay means is Unlatched by said deenergized closercontrol means.
 11. The automatic bagging machine of claim 1 wherein saidclamping means include clamp arm means mounted on said spreading meansfor movement toward and away from said spreading means.
 12. Theautomatic bagging machine of claim 11 wherein said clamp control meansinclude normally open switch means closed by said deactuated feedingmeans, solenoid means energized by said closed switch means for movingsaid clamp arm means toward said spreading means to clamp the empty bagon said spreading means prior to the bag filling operation, and relaymeans energized and latched by said closed switch means to maintain saidsolenoid energized until said relay means is unlatched by saiddeenergized recycle control means.
 13. The automatic bagging machine ofclaim 1 wherein said swinging means include means mounting saidspreading means and clamping means on said support means for movementbetween said feeding means and tying means.
 14. The automatic baggingmachine of claim 13 wherein said swinger control means include normallyopen switch means closed upon completion of the bag filling operation,solenoid means energized by said closed switch means for moving saidspreading means and clamping means from said feeding means to said tyingmeans, and relay means energized and latched by said closed switch meansto maintain said solenoid means energized until said relay means isunlatched by said deenergized recycle control means.
 15. The automaticbagging machine of claim 1 wherein said spreading means include spreaderarm means mounted on said support means for movement relatively apartand together, and said closer control means include normally closedswitch means opened upon completion of the bag filling operation,solenoid means deenergized by said opened switch means for moving saidspreader arm means relatively together while said clamping means remainactuated to collapse and close the filled bag, and relay means unlatchedby said opened switch means to maintain said solenoid means deenergizeduntil reenergized by reenergizing of said spreader control means. 16.The automatic bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said tyer control meansinclude normally open switch means closed upon said holding meansreaching said tying means, and solenoid means energized by said closedswitch means for actuating said tying means.
 17. The automatic baggingmachine of claim 1 wherein said recycle control means include normallyclosed switch means in circuit with said clamp and swinger control meansand opened by said tying means when the bag is tied to simultaneouslyunlatch said clamp and swinger control means.
 18. The automatic baggingmachine of claim 1 wherein said electrical control system includesenabling control means energized by said actuated spreading means uponthe bag being spread open to enable said dual swinger and closer controlmeans to be simultaneously energized and latched and deenergizedrespectively in response to completion of the bag filling operation. 19.The automatic bagging machine of claim 18 wherein said electricalcontrol system includes disabling control means deenergized by saidactuated spreading means in the event no bag is mounted thereon toprevent said dual swinger and closer control means from beingsimultaneously energized and latched and deenergized respectively inresponse to completion of the bag filling operation, notwithstandingsubsequent energization of said enabling control means by said actuatedclamping means.
 20. The automatic bagging machine of claim 19 includingtime delay means actuated by said energized enabling control means inresponse to the start of the bag filling operation and deactuated inresponse to completion of the bag filling operation, with saiddeactuated time delay means simultaneously energizing and latching saidswinger control means and deenergizing said closer control means. 21.The automatic bagging machine of claim 20 wherein said enabling contrOlmeans include normally open enabling switch means closed by saidactuated spreading means upon said bag being spread open, said disablingcontrol means include normally closed disabling switch means in circuitwith said enabling switch means and opened by said actuated spreadingmeans in the event no bag is mounted thereon, and said time delay meansinclude fluid motor means operatively associated with said dual swingerand closer control means and said enabling and disabling switch means.22. The automatic bagging machine of claim 1 wherein said feeding meansinclude rocker means pivotally mounted on said support means forvertical movement upwardly toward and downwardly away from saidspreading means, mounting means operatively associated with said rockermeans for suspending the trailing sides of an upright stack of bags andfor feeding the bags one by one to said spreading means, meansoperatively associated with said rocker and mounting means for partiallyopening the leading side of the leading bag, fluid rocker motor meansoperatively associated with said support means and rocker means, androcker valve means operatively associated with said rocker motor meansand feeder control means.
 23. The automatic bagging machine of claim 22wherein said feeder control means include normally open rocker switchmeans on said support means and closed by said holding means, and rockersolenoid means energized by said closed rocker switch means andactuating said rocker valve means which actuates said rocker motor meanswhich moves said rocker means upwardly into operative relationship withsaid spreading means to feed the partially open upper end of the leadingbag over said deactuated spreading means.
 24. The automatic baggingmachine of claim 23 wherein said spreading means include leading andtrailing spreader arm means pivotally mounted at their upper ends onsaid support means and terminating at their lower ends in dependingleading and trailing spade means, fluid spreader motor means operativelyassociated with said leading and trailing spreader arm means for movingsaid leading spreader arm means toward and apart from said trailingspreader arm means, and spreader valve means operatively associated withsaid spreader motor means and spreader control means.
 25. The automaticbagging machine of claim 24 wherein said spreader control means includenormally open spreader switch means on said support means and closed bysaid actuated rocker means, spreader solenoid means energized by saidclosed spreader switch means and actuating said spreader valve meanswhich actuates said spreader motor means which moves said leadingspreader arm means apart from said trailing spreader arm means to spreadopen the empty bag on said leading and trailing spade means and removethe empty bag from said rocker means and to open said rocker switchmeans which deenergizes said rocker solenoid means which deactuates saidrocker motor means which pivots said rocker means downwardly to opensaid spreader switch means and energize said clamp control means, andspreader relay means energized and latched by said closed spreaderswitch means to maintain said spreader solenoid means energizedfollowing opening of said spreader switch means by said rocker meansuntil said spreader relay means is unlatched by said deenergized closercontrol means.
 26. The automatic bagging machine of claim 25 whereinsaid clamping means include leading and trailing clamp arm meanspivotally mounted at their upper ends of said leading and trailingspreader arm means respectively and terminating in leading and trailingclamp means, fluid clamp motor means operatively associated with saidleading and trailing clamp arm means for moving the same toward and awayfrom said leading and trailing spreader arm means, and clamp valve meansoperatively associated with said clamp motor means and clamp controlmeans.
 27. The automatic bagging machine of claim 26 wherein said clampcontrol means include normally open clamp swiTch means on said supportmeans and momentarily closed by said downwardly pivoted rocker means,clamp solenoid means energized by said closed clamp switch means andactuating said clamp valve means which actuate said clamp motor meanswhich move said leading and trailing clamp means toward said leading andtrailing spade means to clamp both sides of the empty bag against saidspade means, and clamp relay means energized and latched by said closedclamp switch means to maintain said clamp solenoid means energizedfollowing opening of said clamp switch means until said clamp relaymeans is unlatched by said deenergized recycle control means.
 28. Theautomatic bagging machine of claim 27 wherein said swinging meansinclude means pivotally mounting said leading and trailing spreader armmeans on said support means, fluid swinger motor means operativelyassociated with said support means and said trailing spreader arm meansfor moving said spreading and clamping means between said feeding meansand tying means, and swinger valve means operatively associated withsaid swinger motor means and swinger control means.
 29. The automaticbagging machine of claim 28 wherein said swinger control means includenormally open swinger switch means on said support means and momentarilyclosed in response to completion of the bag filling operation, swingersolenoid means energized by said closed swinger switch means andactuating said swinger valve means which actuates said swinger motormeans which swings said spreading and clamping means from said feedingmeans to said tying means, and swinger relay means energized and latchedby said closed swinger switch means to maintain said swinger solenoidmeans energized following opening of said swinger switch means untilsaid swinger relay means is unlatched by said deenergized recyclecontrol means.
 30. The automatic bagging machine of claim 29 whereinsaid closer control means include normally closed closer switch means onsaid support means, ganged with said swinger switch means andmomentarily opened in response to completion of the bag fillingoperation, said spreader solenoid means deenergized by said openedcloser switch means and reversing said spreader valve means whichdeactuates said spreader motor means which moves said leading spreaderarm means toward said trailing spreader arm means, while said clampingmeans remain actuated to collapse and close the upper end of the filledbag against said collapsed spade means, and said spreader relay meansunlatched by said opened closer switch means to maintain said spreadersolenoid means deenergized following closing of said closer switch meansuntil said spreader relay means is reenergized and relatched by saidreclosed spreader switch means.
 31. The automatic bagging machine ofclaim 30 wherein said tying means include housing means having throatmeans, packer means mounted on said housing means for movement betweenoperative and inoperative positions to gather the closed filled bag insaid throat means and loop tape around such gathered bag in saidoperative position, tape feeding means on said housing means andactuated by said packer means in one of said positions to feed the tapeto said packer means, tape cutting means on said housing means andoperatively associated with said packer means in said operative positionto cut the looped tape, and tape twisting means on said housing meansand actuated by said packer means in said operative position to twistthe cut looped tape and tie the gathered bag.
 32. The automatic baggingmachine of claim 31 wherein said tyer control means include normallyopen tyer switch means momentarily closed by said holding means uponreaching said tying means, and solenoid means momentarily energized bysaid closed tyer switch means and momentarily actuating said packermeans to said operative position for the bag tying operation.
 33. Theautomatic bagging machine of claim 32 wherein said recycle control meansinclude normally closed recycle switCh means on said housing means, incircuit with said clamp and swinger relay means and momentarily openedby one of said packer means and tape twisting means when the bag is tiedto simultaneously unlatch said clamp and swinger relay means, therebydeenergizing said clamp solenoid means which reverse said clamp valvemeans which deactuate said clamp motor means which pivot said leadingand trailing clamp arm means outwardly to release the tied bag, anddeenergizing said swinger solenoid means which reverses said swingervalve means which pivots said holding means back from said tying meansto said feeding means for reclosing said rocker switch means.
 34. Theautomatic bagging machine of claim 33 wherein said electrical controlsystem includes enabling control means energized by said actuatedspreading means upon the empty bag being spread open to enable saidganged swinger switch means and closer switch means to be simultaneouslymomentarily closed and opened respectively in response to completion ofthe bag filling operation.
 35. The automatic bagging machine of claim 34wherein said electrical control system includes disabling control meansdeenergized by said actuated spreading means in the event no bag ismounted on said spade means to prevent said ganged swinger switch meansand closer switch means from being momentarily closed and openedrespectively in response to completion of the bag filling operation,notwithstanding subsequent closing of said enabling switch means by saidactuated clamping means.
 36. The automatic bagging machine of claim 35including time delay means actuated by said energized enabling controlmeans in response to the start of the bag filling operation anddeactuated in response to completion of the bag filling operation, withsaid time delay means simultaneously momentarily closing and openingsaid ganged swinger switch means and closer switch means respectively.37. The automatic bagging machine of claim 36 wherein said trailingspade means is pivoted on said trailing spreader arm means for limitedmovement, said enabling control means include normally open enablingswitch means closed by said trailing spade means which is pivoted underbag tension upon the empty bag being spread open, said disabling controlmeans include normally closed disabling switch means in circuit withsaid enabling switch means and opened by said actuated spreading meansin the event no bag is mounted on said spade means, notwithstandingsubsequent closing of said enabling switch means by said actuatedtrailing clamp means engaging and pivoting said trailing spade means,and said time delay means include fluid motor means operativelyassociated with said ganged swinger and closer switch means and saidenabling and disabling switch means.